Wire-stretcher



(No Model.)

G. F. PRATT.

WIRE STRETGHER. No. 569,229. Patented Oct. 13, 1896.

,Jy wr 3y m2 Min W W NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE FRANKLIN PRATT, OF CANTON, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TOSHERMAN E. BROWVN, OF COLLINSVILLE, CONNECTICUT.

WIRE-STRETCH ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 569,229, dated October13, 1896.

Application filed March 9, 1896. Serial No. 582,359. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE FRANKLIN PRATT, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, residing at Canton, in the county of Hartford andState of Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful Improvementin lVire-Stretchers, of which the following is a description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side viewof a stretcher embodying said improvement. Fig. 2 is a top or upper edgeview of same. Fig. 3 is a bottom or under edge view of same.

The object of the improvement is the production of a simple, cheap, andefficient device specially useful in stretching the wires in theerection of a wire fence.

In the accompanying drawings the letter a denotes the main lever, whichdoes the stretching, I) being the handle end thereof.

The letter 1) denotes a pinching-lever borne upon the side of the mainlever, and 0 denotes a pinch-block cooperating with the pinching-lever.In the stretching operation the wire is grasped between thepinchinglever and the pinch-block, and their opposed edges are serratedto make the grasp a firm one.

The letter (Z denotesa serrated and rocking fulcrum attached to the mainlever on the other side thereof from the handle end. It is shown in thedrawings as composed of two separate parts. This serrated and rockingfulcrum rests against one of the sides or faces of a fence-post duringthe stretching opera- 3 5 tion. The serrations give a firm andunslipping contact with the fence-post, and the circular or curvedcontour gives the desired fulcrum action meanwhile.

The letter e denotes a claw for pulling out staples, nails, or the like.

I claim as my improvement- 1. The improved wire-stretcher hereindescribed, comprising the lever a, pinchinglever b, pinch-block c, andcurved segmental plate cl, serrated on the outer circumference,constituting a rolling or changeable fulcrum for the lever, allsubstantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a wire-stretcher, the combination of lever a, pinching-lever b,pinch-block c, and curved segmental fulcrum-plates d d, lying in planesoutside of the plane of the pinchblock and pinching-lever, substantiallyas and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination of lever a, pinchinglever Z9, pinch-block c, abuttingagainst a raised shoulder integral with lever a, and curved segmentalfulcrum-plates d cl, lying in planes outside of the plane of the pinch-6o block and the pinching-lever, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

GEORGE FRANKLIN PRATT.

Witnesses KATE E. BROWN, SHERMAN E. BROWN.

